The Treacle Cocktail Recipe

Have you ever tried a cocktail that tastes exactly like its name? The Treacle cocktail delivers that rare experience.

With its rich, sweet depth and complex flavor profile, this underappreciated rum-based drink has been winning over cocktail enthusiasts for decades.

This deceptively simple cocktail transforms basic ingredients into something magical. Let’s dive into what makes The Treacle so special and why it deserves a spot in your cocktail repertoire.

What Is The Treacle Cocktail?

The Treacle is essentially a rum Old Fashioned with an apple juice float. This clever twist creates a drink that mysteriously tastes like its namesake – British black treacle (similar to molasses) – despite containing no actual treacle in the recipe.

The genius behind this drink is in how the combination of dark rum, apple juice, and bitters creates a flavor profile that’s greater than the sum of its parts. The result is a cocktail with remarkable depth that tastes uncannily like actual treacle.

The Treacle Cocktail Ingredients

Creating this cocktail at home requires just a few quality ingredients:

• 2 oz (60ml) dark rum (Myers’s Jamaican rum was the creator’s preference)
• 1/4 oz (7.5ml) sugar syrup (2:1 ratio)
• 2 dashes of Angostura aromatic bitters
• 1/2 oz (15ml) clear apple juice (not cloudy)
• Orange twist for garnish

The quality of ingredients matters greatly here. The dark rum forms the foundation of the drink, providing rich molasses, toffee, and vanilla notes. The apple juice should be clear rather than cloudy for this recipe, though some modern variations use either type.

Step by Step Mixing Guide for The Treacle

Crafting The Treacle requires a specific building method that helps develop its signature flavor profile:

1. Add sugar syrup and bitters to a rocks glass
2. Add one ice cube and half the rum (1 oz)
3. Stir about 30 times until well chilled
4. Add 2-3 more ice cubes and the remaining rum
5. Stir another 30 times
6. Add 2-3 more ice cubes and stir once more
7. Gently float the apple juice on top of the drink
8. Express the oils from an orange twist over the drink and drop it in as garnish

This gradual building and dilution process allows the flavors to meld perfectly. The apple juice float creates an interesting visual effect and adds a burst of fruity freshness with each sip.

Alternative Ingredients and Substitutes

While the classic recipe calls for specific ingredients, you can experiment with variations:

• Rum options: While Myers’s dark Jamaican rum is traditional, you can try Appleton Estate, Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva, or even an overproof rum like Smith & Cross for a stronger version.
• Sweetener alternatives: The recipe calls for a rich 2:1 sugar syrup, but you can use demerara syrup for added complexity or honey syrup for a different sweetness profile.
• Apple juice variations: The original recipe uses clear, sweet apple juice, but unfiltered or cloudy apple juice (or cider) can create a tarter, fresher flavor that brightens the drink.
• Bitters experimentation: While Angostura is standard, try adding a dash of orange bitters to enhance the citrus notes or chocolate bitters for more depth.

A popular variation uses Kraken Spiced Dark Rum, which adds extra spice notes to complement the apple flavor.

What I Really Like About The Treacle

What makes this cocktail truly special is its remarkable ability to taste like its namesake without actually containing any treacle. It’s one of those magical combinations where the interaction between ingredients creates something entirely unexpected.

The balance between the rich, deep rum notes and the bright apple freshness makes it perfect for year-round enjoyment. In summer, it’s refreshing enough to be satisfying, while in fall and winter, its rich warmth makes it perfectly seasonal.

The Treacle also demonstrates how the simplest additions can transform a classic. By taking the basic Old Fashioned template and making two smart changes – switching whiskey for rum and adding an apple juice float – a completely new classic was born.

The Treacle’s History and Its Creator

The Treacle cocktail was created by legendary British bartender Dick Bradsell in the 1990s during London’s cocktail revival. Bradsell, who passed away in 2016, was known as “The King of Cocktails” and is credited with revolutionizing London’s cocktail scene.

Bradsell created several modern classics that remain popular today, including the Espresso Martini, the Bramble, and of course, The Treacle. His cocktails were characterized by smart simplicity – using a few well-chosen ingredients to create balanced, memorable drinks.

The story goes that Bradsell was inspired by British apple farming and the clear, concentrated apple juice available in the UK. Combined with his appreciation for underrated Myers’s rum, he created this cocktail that mimics the flavor of black treacle.

Unlike some of his other creations like the Espresso Martini, The Treacle has remained somewhat under the radar, making it a delightful discovery for cocktail enthusiasts seeking something beyond the usual classics.

The Treacle’s Taste Profile

The Treacle offers a complex taste journey:

• First impression: Rich sweetness with caramel and molasses notes from the dark rum
• Mid-palate: Warming spices from the bitters and rum
• Finish: Bright, crisp apple that lightens the experience

The cocktail delivers exactly what its name promises – a treacle-like sweetness that’s rich and deep without being cloying. The bitters add complexity and balance, while the apple juice provides a perfect counterpoint to the rum’s depth.

The mouthfeel is velvety yet refreshing, with the dilution from proper stirring creating the perfect texture. Each sip offers a slightly different experience as the apple juice gradually integrates with the rum base.

Serving Suggestions for The Treacle

The Treacle is traditionally served in a rocks glass (also called an Old Fashioned glass) over ice. Here are some tips for serving it perfectly:

• Use large, clear ice cubes or a single large sphere for slower dilution and visual appeal
• Chill your glass beforehand for an extra-cold serve
• Serve in a rocks glass with about 7-8 oz capacity
• Express the orange oils over the top of the drink to add aromatic citrus notes

This cocktail works well as both an aperitif before dinner or as an after-dinner sipper. Its versatility makes it appropriate for casual gatherings or more formal cocktail parties.

Great Appetizers to Pair with The Treacle

The rich, complex flavors of The Treacle pair wonderfully with various appetizers:

• Cheese boards: The sweet-tart balance of the cocktail complements both aged cheeses and creamy varieties
• Bacon-wrapped dates or figs: The sweet-savory combination matches the cocktail’s profile perfectly
• Spiced nuts: The warming spices in the drink pair well with roasted nuts featuring similar flavor notes
• Smoked salmon canapés: The apple freshness cuts through the richness of the salmon
• Dark chocolate truffles: For a dessert pairing, the molasses notes in the rum complement dark chocolate beautifully

For a perfect themed pairing, serve with mini sticky toffee pudding bites, as these echo the treacle flavors in the cocktail.

The Treacle’s Alcohol by Volume (ABV)

The Treacle is a moderately strong cocktail with an ABV of approximately 28-35%, depending on the specific rum used and dilution during mixing.

The standard recipe using regular dark rum (40% ABV) will result in a lower final ABV, while using an overproof rum can increase the strength considerably. The gradual dilution from proper stirring helps mellow the alcohol bite while maintaining its warming character.

For context, this makes The Treacle stronger than a typical glass of wine (12-14% ABV) or beer (4-6% ABV), but similar to other spirit-forward cocktails like the Old Fashioned or Manhattan.

Nutritional Values of The Treacle Cocktail

For those mindful of their intake, here’s the approximate nutritional breakdown of a standard Treacle cocktail:

• Calories: Approximately 200-220 calories per serving
• Carbohydrates: About 15-20g, primarily from the sugar syrup and apple juice
• Sugar: Around 15g, from both the syrup and apple juice
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 0g

The calorie count can vary based on the specific brands of ingredients used and exact measurements. The majority of calories come from the alcohol in the rum, with the remainder from the sugar syrup and apple juice.

For a lower-calorie version, you can reduce the sugar syrup slightly and use a diet or low-sugar apple juice, though this will alter the classic flavor profile.

Final Thoughts on The Treacle

The Treacle stands as a testament to Dick Bradsell’s genius in creating drinks that are both accessible and complex. This cocktail proves that sometimes the simplest variations can create something truly unique.

Whether you’re a rum enthusiast looking to branch out beyond Daiquiris and Mojitos, or a cocktail explorer seeking hidden gems, The Treacle deserves your attention. Its perfect balance of richness and refreshment makes it a versatile addition to any home bartender’s repertoire.

Try making The Treacle at your next gathering and watch as your guests discover this underappreciated classic. With just a few ingredients and some careful technique, you can recreate a piece of modern cocktail history that tastes exactly like its name suggests – rich, deep, and unforgettably treacly.

Have you tried The Treacle cocktail? What did you think of its unique flavor profile? Share your experience or questions in the comments below!